Mining machine



Oct. 7, 1930. M. P. Hws, 1,777,615

MINING MACHINE Original Filed June 5, 1919 Patented Oct. 7, 1930 PATENT OFFICE- T MORRIS P. HOLMES, oF-ommmm, new Hamper-nan, ASSIGNOR T SU LIVAN MA- cHINnRY COMPANY, A coarserron or'riassacnnsnrrs MINING MACHINE (Original application filed June 5, 1919, Serial No. 301,917. Divided and this application filed November 1, 1324. Serial No. 747,317.

My invention relates to mining machines. An object of my invention is to provide an improved mining machine. Another object of my invention is to provide an improved flexibly ted mining machine of the so-called longwall type. Still another object of my invention is to provide a mining machine having animproved simplified feeding mechanism. Afurther object of my inventionis to provide an improved fiei ibly ted mining machine having an improved arrangement of its flexible teeding mechanism and improved operative connections for actuating said mechanism to propel the machine. A still further object of myinvention is to providean improved and simplifiedieeding arrangement and mechanism for a chain propelled mining machine and more especially for a chainpropelled mining machine of the so-called longwall type whereby the same is rendered better adapted to serviceconditions. These andother objects and advantages of my iniiproved miningmachine will, however,

hereinafter more fully rappear.

In the accompanying drawings 1 have shown toiqpurposes ot'illustration one form which my invention may assume in practice. In these drawings,-

Fig.1 is a plan view of a mining machine "within which; my improved feeding mechanism is incorporated, the, View being pan Jtially broken away in section.

Fig. 21's an, endelevation of the mining .machine shown inFig. 1 illustrating the improved arrangement of the. chain driving and F is a partial side: elevational View of the machine shown in Fig. l. I

In this illustrative formot my invention, which is a division'of myjcopending application Ser. No. 301,91 7,'filed June 5, 1919, now matured into Patent No. 1,662,786, patented March 13,1928} I have shown a mining machine, generally designated 1, herein of the flexibly fed longwall type including. a usual elongated machine frame 2 mounted upon a shoe and slidablethereon over-the mine bottom, in a well known manner. The-frame Qcarries a suitable motor 4, herein ofthe usual reversible type, said motor being horizontally and longitudinally disposedand as usually centrally located between the feed driving mechanism and the cutter chain driving mechanism. Inasmuch as the latter mechanism does not enter into the present invention it will therefore herein sufiice to say that the sameincludes a cutter bar 5 piv otally mounted on one end of the frame 2, the bar carrying the usual cutter bit carrying chain 6 driven from one end of the motor shaft through usual transmission mechanism, not shown, and being movable angularlyinto a plurality ofpositions about itspivot and adapted to be fixed in any 'position by a suitterbar, which, in a! long-Wall machine, the

front end of the machine frame, and are drivenby improved mechanismh As shown, these driving sprockets8 and 9are disposed transversely-of the front end of the frame and are rotatable in a vertical plane about a transversely disposed axis. As illustrated,

the coaxial driving sprockets are also driven from the motor 4, the adjacent end ofthe motor armature shatt 11 carrying a Worm12 which, in turn, meshes with a worm gear 13 centrally fixed to a transversely disposed cooperating horizontal driving shaft 14, in turn, ournaled in suitable bearingslti on opnosite sides and the bottom of the frame.

The shattl l is herein connected to the driving' sprockets8 and 9. through a plurality of journaled on the frame and disposed parallel to the shaft 14 and between the latter and the motor. This stub shaft 18, in turn, carries small pinion 19 on its opposite end which meshes with a larger pinion 20 freely rotatable on the shaft 1a and disposed between the pinion 16 and the side of the frame. As shown, this pinion 20 in turn meshes with still larger pinion or gear 21 which is suitably connectible with a rearwardly located transverselydisposed shaft 22 bymeans of a friction clutchmechanism, generally designated 23, herein of the usual disc type and controlled by a usual clutch shipper 2d mov- "able on the shaft 22 and herein operable by controlling mechanism including a lever 25 engageable with the shipper andoperatively connected to a transverse link 26 and other mechanism, not shown, with a controlling lever 27 disposed on the top of the machine casing. A spur gear 28 is suitably secured to the shaft 22 and disposed between suitable bearings 29 in which the shaft 22 is journaled. The gear 28 meshes with a larger gear 30, in turn, carried directly on a horizontal-shaft 31 journaled in bearings 32 formed on the frame and to which shaft said chain drivingsprockets 8 and 9 are suitably rigidly secured. In considering the fast feed mechanism it will herein be noted thatfixed to the opposite end of the shaft 14 from the pinion 16 is a suitable small pinion 33 meshing 'with a considerably larger gear 3% rotatable on the opposite end of the shaft 22 from that carrying the gear 21 and similarly located. The connection of this gear 34 to theshaft 22 is in turn controlled by a suitable friction mechanism, gen erally designated 35, and similar to the friction clutch mechanism 28, and likewise controlled by a shipper 36 through a lever 37, the lever in turn being connected to the link 26 and is likewise controllable by the controlling lever 27. Thus it will be observed that when the lever 27 is operated in such a manner as to operate the friction clutch IHGChZIIllSD'l 23 the driving sprockets 8 and 9 will be rotated at a slow speed and if the lever is operated in an opposite directionoperating thefriction clutch mechanism the driving sprockets 8 and 9 will be driven at a fast speed. It will herein be noted that suitable pockets 38 and 89 formed in the frame are provided at the opposite ends of the shaft so that the chain driving sprockets 8 and 9 may be disposed within the lines of the frame a substantial distance from the sides thereof. Associated with these driving sprockets, either of which may be used when desired, I have also provided guide sprockets 40 and 41 rotatable on vertical axes and adapted to direct the chain from the chain driving sprockets 8 and 9 to slightly forward- 1y located laterally disposed cooperating guide sprockets 42 and 48 rotatable on vertical axes and extending to the guides l0 and 41 and a pair of forwardly located cooperating guide sprockets a l and having the plane of their axes disposed parallel to the plane of the axes of the sprockets 42 and 43. In this construction it will be evident that by simply laying the chain around either of the guides 40 or ll and over either of the chain driving sprockets 8' or 9 and passing the same around either of the front guide sprockets a l and 45 and either of the guides 42 or 4", for instance in Fi 1, the machine may be connected for movement along the face and that by some rearrangement of the chain relative to the guidin sprockets various other movements of the machine or its cutter bar may be obtained as desired.

' As a result of my improved construction it will be observed that it is possible to eliminate entirely any necessity of threading the chain, thereby facilitating and speeding up the use of the machine under service conditions, at the same time that it is possible to utilize the weight or the slack of the slack chain to hold it upon the feed sprockets and to locate the chain driving mechanism as to interfere in no way with the movement of the machine close to the working face on the one side and the mine roof props on' the other. These and other advantages will, however, be clearly apparent to those skilled in the art.

lVhile I have in this application specifically described one form which my invention may assume in practice, it will be understood that this form of the same is shown for purposes of illustration and that the invention may be modified andembodied in various other. forms without departing from its spirit or the scope of the appended claims.

What I claim is new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. In a mining machine, a machine frame slidabl'e on its bottom on the mine bottom during the cutting operation, a driving motor carried by said frame, cutting mechanism driven by said driving motor and disposed of at one side of the latter,and feeding means for effecting feed of the machine during cutting and driven by said motor, said feeding means including coaxial feeding members each adapted to cooperate directly with flexible feeding means and connected for rotation at equi-angular rates, said feeding members being disposed'at the opposite side of said motor from said cutting mechanism.

2. Ina mining machine, a driving motor, mutually coaxialfeedoperating members adapted tocooperate directly with flexible feeding means and disposed on opposite sides. of thecentral longitudinal vertical plane of the machine, and means for driving said members at a fast and at aslow speed in the same direction 1nclud1ng parallel shafts through both of vvhi'ch each of said" members maybe driven. g

3. In a mining machine, a driving motor,

mutually coaxial feed operating members adapted to cooperate directly With flexible feeding means and disposed on opposite sides of the central longitudinal vertical plane of the machine, and means for driving said members at a fast and at a'sloW speed in the same direction including parallel shafts through both of Whicheach of said members may be driven and a plurality of frictional controllingmeans. v a L. In a mining machine, a driving motor, mutually coaxial feed operating members adapted to cooperate directly With flexible feeding means and disposed on opposite sides of the central longitudinal vertical plane of the machine, and means for driving said members at a fast andata slow speed mthe same direction including parallel shafts through both of Which each of said members may be dr1ven and change speed gearing connecting said shafts.

5. In a mining, machine, a frame having at one end thereof pivotally mounted cutting mechanism, adjacent the central portion thereof a motor, and at the front endthereof feeding means comprising a pair of coaxial feed operating members rotatable on' -hori zontal axes and each adaptedto cooperate With flexible feeding means, and guiding; means for flexlblefeedmg means including at each side of the central longitudinal vertical plane of the machine frame a plurality of guide sheaves. i i 1 a 6. In a mining machine, a frame having at one end thereof pivotally mounted cutting mechanism, adjacent the" central. portion thereof a m0tor,and at the front endthereof feeding means comprising a pair of coaxial feed operating members rotatable'on horizontal axes'and each adaptedto cooperate with flexible feeding'means, and guiding means for flexible feeding means including at each side of the central longitudinal vertical plane of the machine frame a plurality of guide sheaves all axes. a 1

7. In a mining machine, a frame having at one end thereof pivotally mounted cutting rotatable on vertical mechanism, adjacent the central portion thereof a motor, and at the front end thereof feeding means comprising a pair of coaxial feed operating members rotatable on "horizontal axes and each adapted to cooperate withflexible feeding means, and guiding sheaves.

ineansfor flexible feeding means including at each side of the centrallongitudinal vertical plane of the machine frame a pair of guide sheaves, said sheaves so arranged that their pitch circles lie in a common horizontal plane.

8. In a mining machine, a frame having atone end thereof pivotally mounted cutting mechanism, adj acent the central portion thereof a motor, and at the front end thereof feeding means comprising a pair of coaxial feed opera-ting members rotatable on horizontal axes and each adapted to cooperate With flexible feeding means, and guiding means for flexible feeding means including at each side of'the central longitudinal vertical plane of the machine frame three guide 9. In a mining machine, a frame having at one'lend thereof pivotally mount-ed cutting mechanism, adjacentthe central portion thereof a motor, and at the front end thereof feeding means comprising a pair of coaxial 'feed operatingmembers rotatable on horixontal axes and each adapted to cooperate with flexible feedingmeans, and guiding means for flexible feeding means including at each side ofthe central longitudinal vertical plane of'the machine frame three guide sheaves rotating on vertical axes.

10. In a mining machine, a frame having at one end thereof pivotally mounted cutting mechanism, adjacent the central"portion thereof a motor, and at the front end thereof feeding means comprising a pair of coaxial feed operating memberslrotatable on horizontal axes and each adapted to cooperate with flexible feeding means, driving means for said members includingayplurality of shafts rotatin'gjon axes parallel to a line parallel tothe axes of rotationjof said feed operating members, and; guiding means for flexible feeding means including at each side of the central longitudinal vertical plane of the machine frame, a plurality of guide sheave-s,

11. In a mining machine, a frame having at one end thereof pivotally mounted cut;

12. In a mining machine. aframe having at one end thereof pivotally. mountedcut ting mechanism, adj acent the central portion thereof a motor, and at the front end thereof flexible feeding means including: at each side.

5016 the central longitudinal vertical plane of the machine frame a palr of guide sheaves,

said sheaves so arranged that their pitch circles lie in a common horizontal plane. 1-3. In. a miningmachme, a frame having at one end thereof plvotally mounted cutting mechanism, adjacent the central portion thereof a motor, and at thefront end thereof feeding meanscompri'sing a pair of coaxial feed operating members rotatable on horizontalaxes and each adapted to cooperate with flexible feeding means, driving means for said members including a plurality of shafts rotating on axes parallel to a line parallel to the axes of'rotat-ion of said feed operating members, and guiding means for flexible feeding means includingat each side of the central longitudinal vertical plane of the machine framethree guide sheaves.

14. In a mining machine, aframe having at one end thereof pivotally mounted cutting mechanism, adjacent the central portion thereof a motor, and at the front end thereof feeding means com-prising a pair of coaxial feed operating members rotatableon hori zontal axes and each adapted to cooperate with flexible feeding means. driving means for said members including a plurality of shafts rotating on axes parallel to a line parallel to' the axes of rotation of said feed operating members, and. guiding means for flexible feeding means including at each side of' the central longitudinal vertical plane of the machine frame three guide sheaves rotating on vertical axes.

15. In a mining machine, a frame havin at one end thereof pivotally mounted cutting mechanism, adjacent the central portion thereof a motor, and at thefrontend thereof feeding means comprising a pair of coaxial feed operating members rotatable on horizontal axes and each adapted to cooperate with flexible feeding means, plural speed driving means for said membersincluding a plurality of shafts rotating on axes parallel to line parallel to the axes of rotation of said feed operating members, and guiding means for flexible feeding means including at each side of the central longitudinal'verti cal plane of the machine frame a plurality of guide sheaves.

16. In a mining machine, a frame having at one end thereof pivotally mounted cut-ting mechanism, adjacent the central portion.

thereof a motor, and at the front end thereof feeding means comprising a pair of coaxial feed operating members rotatable on horizontal axes and each adapted to cooperate with flexible feeding means, plural speed driving means for said members including a plurality or shafts rotating on axes parallel to a line, parallel to the'a-xes of rotation of said feed operating members, and guiding meansfor flexible feeding means including at each side of the central longitudinal vertical plane of the machine frame a plurality of guide sheaves all rotatable on vertical axes.

17 In a mining machine, a frame having at one end thereof pivotally mormted cutting mechanism, adjacent the central portion thereof a motor, and at the front end thereof feeding means comprising a pair of coaxial feed. operating members rotatable on horizontal axes and each adapted to cooperate with flexible feeding means, plural speed driving means for said members inthereof a motor, and at the-front end thereof feeding'means comprising a pair of coaxial feed operating members rotatable on horizontal axes and each adapted to cooperate with flexible feeding means, plural speed driving means for said members including a plurality of shafts rotating on axes parallel to a line parallel to the axes of rotation of said feed operating members, and guiding means for flexible feeding means including at each sideof the central longitudinal vertical plane of the machine frame three guide sheaves.

19. In amining machine, a-fraine having at one end thereof pivotally mounted cutting mechanism, adajacent the. central portion thereof amot-or, and at the front endth'ereof feeding means comprising a pair of coaxial feed operating members rotatable on' horizontal axes and each adapted to cooperate with flexible feeding means, plural speed driving means for said members including a plurality of shafts rotating on axes parallel to a line parallel to the axes of rotation of said feed operating members, and guiding means for flexible feeding means including at each side of the central longitudinal vertical plane oft-he machine frame three guide sheaves rotating on vertical axes.

' 20. In a mining machine, a frame having at one end thereof pivotally mounted cutting mechanism, adjacent the central portion'thereof a motor, andat the front'end machine frame a pair of guide sheaves, said thereof feeding means Comprising a pairof coaxial feed operating members rotatable on horizontal axes and each adapted to cooperate With flexible feeding means, plural speed driving means forsaid members including a plurality of shafts rotating on axes parallel to ya line parallel to the axes of rotation of said feed operating means and speed controlling clutches comprising elements movable in directionslongitudinal of said shafts, andguidiiig means for flexible feeding means including at eachside of the central longitudinal vertical plane ofthe machine frame a plurality ofguide sheaves. j

21. In a mining machine, a frame having at one end thereof pivotally mounted cutting mechanism, adjacent the central portion thereof a motor, and at the front end thereof feeding means comprising a pair of coaxial feed operating members rotatable on horizontal axes and eachadapted to cooperate with flexible feeding means, plural speed driving means for said members including a plurality of shafts rotating'on axes parallel to a line parallel to the axes of rotation of said feed operating means and'speed controlling clutches comprising elementsmovable in directions longitudinal of said shafts, and guiding means for flexible feedingmeans including at each side of the central longitudinal vertical plane of the machine frame a plurality of guideisheaves all rotatable on vertical axes,

a 22. In a mining machine, a frame having at one end thereofpivotally mounted cutting mechanism, adjacent the central por tion thereof a motor, and at the front end thereof feeding means comprising a pair of coaxial. feed operating members rotatable on horizontal axes and each adapted to cooperate with flexible feeding means, plural speed driving means for said members including a plurality of shafts rotating on axes parallel to a line parallel to the axes of rotation of said feed operating means and speed controlling clutches comprisingelements movable in directions longitudinal of said shafts, and guiding means for flexible feed ing means including at each side of the central longitudinal vertical plane of the sheaves so arranged that their pitch circles lie in a common horizontal plane.

23. In a mining machine, a frame having at one end thereof pivotally mounted cutting mechanism, adjacent the central portion thereof a motor, and at the'front end thereof feeding means comprising a pair of co axial feed operating members rotatable on horizontal axes and each adapted to coopcrate with flexible feeding means, plural speed driving means for said members including a plurality of shafts rotating on axes parallel to a line parallel to the axes of rotation of said feed operating means and speed controlling clutches comprising elements movable in directions longitudinal of said shafts, and guiding means for flex,- ible feeding meansincluding at each side of the central longitudinal vertical plane of the machine frame three guide sheaves.

v24;. In a mining machine, a frame having atone end thereof pivotally mounted cutting'mechanism, adjacent the central portion thereof a motor, and at the front end thereof feeding means comprising a pair of coaxial feed operating members rotatable onhorizontal axes and each adapted to cooperate with flexible feeding means, plural speed drivingmeans for said members including a plurality of shafts rotating on axes parallel to a line parallel to the axes'of ro-I tation of said feed operating means and speed controllingclutches comprising elements movable in directions longitudinal of said shafts, and guiding means fori flexible feeding means including at eachsideof the central longitudinal vertical plane of the machine frame three guide sheaves rotating on vertical axes.

25. In a mining machine, a frame slidable on its bottom directly on the mine bottom, during cutting and having projecting from one end thereof cutting mechanism, a motor, and at the side-of the motor remote from the end of the frame at which said cutting mechanism project-s feeding means comprising a pair of feed operating members rotatable on horizontal axes and each adapted to cooperate with flexible feeding means and driving means for said members including a pair of driving elements each adapted to drive each of said members and respectively rotating at different speeds on lel to a common straight line.'

26. In a mining machine, a able on its bottom directly on the mine bot tom during cutting and having-projecting from one endthereof cutting mechanism, a motor, and, at the side of the motor remote from the end of the frame at which said cutting mechanism projects feeding meanscomprising a pair of feed operating members 170- tatable on horizontal axes and each adapted:

to cooperate with flexible feeding means and driving means for said members including a pair of driving elements each adapted to drive each of said members and respectively mtating at different speeds on axes parallel to a common straight line and clutch means operable to cause either of said elements to operateas the driving element.

27. In a mining machine, a frame slid-l able on its bottom directly on'the mine bottom during cutting and having pro ecting from one end thereof cutting mechanism, a

frame slidaxes parala motor, and at the side of the motor remote from the end of the frame at which said cutting mechanism proj ects feeding means comprising a 133.11 of feed operating members rotatable on horizontal axes and each adapted tocooperate with flexible feeding means and driving means for said members including a pair of drivin elements-each adapted to drive each of said members and respectively rotating at different speeds on axeslying in a common vertical plane.

28/In a minin machine, a frame slidable on its bottom directly on the mine' bottom during cutting and having projecting from one end thereof cutting mechanism, a

a motor, and at the side of the motor remote fro-1n the end of the frame at which said cutting mechanism projects feeding means comprising a pair of feed operating members rotatable on horizontal axes and each adapted tocooperate with flexible feeding means and driving means for said members including pair of d ivingelements each adapted to drive-each of said members and respectively rotating at different speeds on axes lying in a common vertical plane and clutch means operable to cause either of said elements to operate as the driving element.

29. In a mining machine, a frame slidable' on its bottom directly on the .minebottom during cutting and having projecting from one end thereof cutting mechanism, a motor, and at the side of the motorremotefrom the end of the frame at which said cutting mechanism projects feeding means comprising a pair of feed operating members rotatable on horizontal axes and each adapted to cooperate with flexible feeding means and driving means for said members including a pair of driving elements each adapted to drive each of said members and respectively rotating at different speeds on axes parallel to a common straight line and flexible feeding means guiddriving elements each adapted to drive each of said members and respectively rotating at different speeds on axes parallel to a common straight line and clutch means operable to cause either of said elements to operate as the driving element, and flexible feeding means guiding sheaves at opposite sides of the central longitudinal vertical plane of the machine frame. v

31. In a mining machine, a frame slidable on its bottom directly on the mine bottom during cutting and having projecting from one end thereof cutting mechanism, a motor, and at the side of the motor remote from the end of the frame at which said cutting mechanism projects feeding means comprising a pair of feed operating members rotatable on horizontal axes and eaehadapted to cooperate with flexible feeding means and driving means for said members including a pair of driving elements each adapted to drive each of said members and respectively rotating at different speeds on axes lying in a common vertical plane, and flexible feeding means guiding sheaves at opposite sides of the central longitudinal vertical plane of the machine frame.

w 32. In a mining machine, a frame slidable on its bottom directly on the mine bottom during cutting and having projecting from one end thereof cutting mechanism, a motor, and at the side of the motor remote fromthe end of the frame at which said cuttingmechanism projects feeding means comprising a pair of feed operating members rotatable on horizontal axes and. each adapted to cooperate with flexible feeding means and driving means for said members including a pair of driving elements each adapted todrive each of said members and respectively rotating at different speeds on axes lying in a common vertical plane and clutch means operable to ause eitherof said elements to operate as the driving element, andfiexible feeding means guiding sheaves at opposite sides of the central longitudinal vertical plane of the machine frame.

33. In a mining machine comrpising a frame slidable over a mine bottom during cutting and having at its rear end a pivoted cutter bar, a plurality of feed operating members at the front end of said frame rotatable on a horizontal axis, a flexible feed member, and cooperating guiding means therefor for directing saidfeed member selectively around said feed operating members and forwardly from the front end of said machine.

73%. In a mining machine comprising a frame slidable over a mine bottom during cutting and having at its rear end a pivoted cutter bar, a plurality of feed operating members at the front end of said frame and rotatable on a horizontal axis, a flexible feed member, and cooperating guiding means therefor for selectively directing said feed members around said feed operatingmembers' and either forwardly or rearwardly from the front end of said machine.

35. The combination with a mining machine, of a plurality of feed driving members at the front end thereof disposed on a horizontal axis, a flexible feed member selectively engageable therewith, and guiding means including a plurality of simultaneously operative cooperating guiding mem- 1 and each adapted tocooperate with flexible,

of said feed operating members being adapt ed to cooperate with flexible feeding means anchored at a vpoint extraneous of the machine, and common means for driving said j members including worm gearing, a plurality of shafts disposed parallel with the axes of said. members, and'a plurality of friction clutches. I r j L6. In a mining 'machine, a cutter sup porting frame, a motor thereon, feeding mechanism thereon including a plurality of plural predeterminedspeed feed operating members, and cooperating feeding and guiding means including a single flexible feeding member alternatively engageable with different operating members to feed said frame at a plurality of speeds in either direction.

47. In a mining machine, a frame slidable on its bottom directly on the mine bottom during cutting and supporting cutting mechanism, and feeding mechanism on said frame comprising a feed operating member rotatable on a horizontal axis and adapted to cooperate directly with flexible feeding mechanism and guiding means for said flexible feeding mechanism including a plurality of guide sheaves rotatable on vertical axes and arranged with their'pitch circlesin horizontal planes tangentto the top and bottom of, the pitch circle of said feed operating member.

L8.'In a mining machine, a frame slidable on its bottom directly on the mine-bottom during cutting and having at one end thereof pivotally mounted cutting mechanism, adjacent the central portion thereof a motor, and at the opposite end thereof feeding means comprising a pair of feed operating members, each adapted tocooperate with flexible feeding means, and cooperating guiding means for said flexible feeding means whereby the latter maybe extended from either of said members from opposite sides of the machine.

49. In a mining machine, a frame slidable on its bottom directly on the mine, bottom during cutting and havmg at one end thereof pivotally mounted cutting mechanism, adjacent the central portion thereof amotor, and at the opposite endthereof feeding means comprising a pa1r of feed operating members rotatable on horizontal axes feeding means, and cooperating guiding means for said flexlble feeding means whereby the latter may be extended from either of said members from opposite sides of the machine.

50. ,In a mining machine, a frame slidable on its bottom directly on the mine bottom during cutting'and having at. one end thereof pivotally mounted cutting mechanism, adjacent the central portion thereof a motor, and at the opposite end thereof feeding means-comprising a pair, of feed operating members rotatable on horizontal axes and each adapted to cooperate with flexible feeding means, and cooperating guiding means for said flexible feeding means whereby the latter may be extended from either of said members from opposite sides of the machine, said flexible feeding means being adapted to swing said cutting mechanism in opposite directions and to feed the machine in opposite directions during cutting.

51. In a mining machine, a frame slidable on its bottom directly on the mine bottom during cutting and having projecting from one end thereof cutting mechanism, a motor, and at the side of the motor remote from the end of the frame at which said cutting mechanism projects feeding means comprising a pair of feed operating members each adapted to cooperate with flexible feeding means, and driving means for said members including a pair of driving elements each adapted to drive each of said members and respectively rotating at different speeds on axes parallel to common straight line.

52. In a mining machine, a frame slidable on its bottom directly on the mine bottom during cutting and having projecting from one end thereof cutting mechanism, a motor, and at the side of the motor remote from the end of the frame at which said cutting mechanism projects feeding means comprising a pair of feed operating members the end of the frame at \VlliClYSEllCl cutting mechanism projects feeding means comprismg a pa1r of feed operating'members each adapted to cooperate with flexible feeding means, and driving means for said members including a pair of driving elements each adapted to drive each ofsaid' members and respectively rotating at different speeds on axes lying in a common vertical plane.

54. In a mining machine, a frame slidable on its bottom directly on the mine bottom during cutting and having projecting from one end thereof cutting mechanism, a motor, and at the sideof the motor remote from the end of the frame at which said'cutting mechanism projects feeding means comprising a pair. of feed operating members each adapted to cooperate with flexible feeding means, and driving means for said members including a pair of driving elements each adapted each adapted to cooperate With flexible feeding means, and driving means for said members including a pair of driving elements each adapted to drive each of said members and respectively rotating at different speeds on axes parallel to a common straight line,

and flexible feeding means guiding sheaves at opposite sides of the central longitudinal vertical plane of the machine frame. I

56. In a mining machine, a frame slid- 3 able on its bottom directly on the mine bottom during cutting and having projecting from one end thereof cutting mechanism, a motor, and at the side of the motor remote from the end of the frame at Which said cutting mechanism projects feeding means comrisin a air of feed 0 eratin members each adapted to cooperate with flexible feeding means, and driving means for said members including a pair of driving elements each adapted to drive each of said members and respectively rotating at different speeds on axes parallel to a common straight line, and clutch means operable to cause either. of said elements to operate as the driving element, and flexible feeding means guiding sheaves at opposite sides of the central longitudinal vertical plane of the machine frame. j

57. In a mining mac'hine,-a frame slid- I able on its bottom directly on the mine bottom during cutting and having projecting from one end thereof cutting mechanism, a motor, and at the side of the motor remote from the end of the frame at which said cutting mechanism projects feeding means comprising a pair of-feed operating mem-.

bers each adapted to cooperate with flexible feeding means, and driving means for said members including a pair of driving elementseach adapted to drive each of said members and respectively rotating at different speeds on axes lying in a common vertical plane,and flexible feeding means guiding sheaves at opposite sides of the central longitudinal vertical plane of the machine frame. a

58. In a mining machine,a frameslidable on its bottom directly on the mine bottom during cutting and having projecting from one end thereofcutting mechanism, a

motor, and at side of the'inot'or'remote from the end *ofthe frame at whichf-said cutting mechanism projects feeding means comprising a pair of feedoperatingmem bers each adapted to cooperate with flexible feeding "means, and driving means for, said members including a pair of driving ele 'ment's each adapted to drive each off-said members and respectively rotatingatdif- 'ferent speeds on axes 'lyingiir common vertical I plane, and, clutch means operable to causeeither of said elements to operate as the driving element, and flexible feeding means guiding sheaves at opposite sides of the central longitudinal vertical plane of the machine frame.

59.In a mining machine, a frame slidable on its bottom directly on the mine bot tomduring cutting and having at one end thereof cutting mechanism, adjacent the central portion thereof a motor, and at the opposite end thereof feeding means comprising 'a pair of feed operating members each adapted-to cooperate with flexible feeding means, and cooperating guiding means for said flexible feeding means whereby the latter may be extended from either of said members from opposite sides of the machine.

60. In a mining machine, a frame slidable on its bottom directly on the mine bottom during cutting and having at one end thereof cutting mechanism, adjacent the centralportion thereofa motor, and at the opposite end thereof feeding means comprising a pair of feed operating members rotatable on horizontal axes and each'adapted to cooperate with flexible feeding means, and gooperating guiding means for said flexible feeding means whereby the latter may be, extended from either of said members from opposite sides of the machine.

loo

61. In a mining machine, a frame slidable on its bottom directly on the mine bottom during cutting and having at one end thereof cutting mechanism, adjacent the central portion thereof a motor, and at the opposite end thereof feeding means comprising a pair of feed operating members rotatable on hor zontal axes and each adapted to cooperate with flexiblefeeding means, and cooperating guiding means for said flexible feeding means whereby the latter may be extended from either of said members from opposite sides of the machine, said flexible feeding means having freeend portions engageable with different feed operating members; to a feed the machine in opposite directions during cutting in opposite directions.

62. In a mining machine, a frame slidable on its bottom directly on the mine bottom'during cutting and having at one end thereof pivoted cutting mechanism, adjacent the central portion thereof a motor, and at the opposite end thereof feeding means comprising a pair of feed operating members each adapted .t ccoperatewith flexible feeding means and cooperating guiding means for said flexible feeding means whereby the latter may be extended from either cf said members from opposite sides of the machine, said flexible feeding means being adapted to swing-said cutting mechanism in opposite directions and to feed the machine in opposite directions during cutting.

In testimony whereof I aifix my. signa- MORRIS 'P.' HOLMES. 

